Published by HQ
Publication date - 29 September 2022
Source - review copy
Florence Day is a ghost-writer with one big problem. She's supposed to be penning swoon-worthy novels for a famous romance author but, after a bad break-up, Florence no longer believes in love. And when her strict (but undeniably hot) new editor, Benji Andor, won't give her an extension on her book deadline, Florence prepares to kiss her career goodbye.
Although when tragedy strikes and Florence has to head home, the last thing she expects to see is a ghost at her front door. Not just any ghost, however, but the stern form of her still very hot – yet now unquestionably dead – new editor.
Florence is in a bit of a pickle. She's the ghost writer for a famous and beloved romance author. The final book in her contract is due. The only trouble is Florence no longer believes in romance. Her new, rather attractive, editor is however into meeting deadlines. Florence doesn't know how she'll write half of a book in the space of an evening. However when tragedy strikes she forgets that and heads home. Where she is confronted by her boss. Who appears to be rather dead.
Florence can see ghosts. She inherited it from her dad and it's the reason she left her small town and moved to New York. There she has studiously ignored the spirits that appear before her and carved a career as a different sort of ghost; a ghost writer for famous romantic novelist Ann Nichols. When Florence has her heart broken she loses her belief in romance. Which means she can't write the end of the novel she's contracted to finish. Then suddenly her beloved dad dies and she finds herself back home, and opening the door to the ghost of her new editor, Ben Andor.
As the story progresses Florence and Ben grow closer. Florence knows it's fool-hardy, she's alive and Ben isn't. But he offers solace during her grief and she begins to open up to the possibility of love again.
From the first first page the reader is drawn into the mad cap, loving world of Florence and her dysfunctional family. Owners of the town funeral parlour, her life has been surrounded by death, including the ghosts of those not ready to pass on. Having solved a murder with the help of a ghost when she was 13, Florence has met ridicule and taunts in the town and was keen to leave.
Her family are dealing with the fallout of her father's death, his strange requests for his funeral and Florence's refusal to return home in the last 10 years. As she embarks on a series of tasks to ensure her dad's funeral goes to his plans, her and Ben get to know each other better.
There is lots of humour interspersed with more moving moments as Florence reflects on her dad, and life and lost loves.
I loved every minute of it. The Dead Romantics is one of those books where you want to read more about the characters after the final page, even if it's just to follow them on shopping trips and or to see them argue over what TV programme to watch.
A funny, moving, highly entertaining comedy about romance, love, and celebrating the life of those we care about.
Recommended.
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